Life and Death

Chapter 9

The door to the balcony opens and a beautiful blonde girl steps out. "Hey, I miss you in there," she says with a pouty face, trying to look innocent and cute. "Why are you out here..."? She notices me and makes eye contact; I quickly avert my eyes to something else. "And who's this?" I can hear annoyance in her voice.

"This is Eden. They are a friend of mine."

"Just a friend," the woman scoffs.

She takes a step towards me. The alcohol smell coming of off her makes my eyes tear up. I'm pretty sure she's drunk.

"Yes, she is. Can you please go back inside? I'll meet you in there, just give me a few minutes."

"Fine, but I hope you know that I'm a much better time than this- "

Seishi stands up, "I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you."

The blonde girl looks at Seishi and me, then turns around abruptly and opens the door. I see her disappear through the crowd. Seishi gets up to close the door.

"I'm sorry about that," he says while sitting once again, leaning back on the couch.

"Who was she?" I ask looking at the skyline.

Seishi thinks a moment, then shakes his head. "She's not important."

I look at him and he returns the gaze. He has bright blue eyes just like his mother.

"Hmm," I don't break eye contact with him. This is a first, besides from Alex's mother.

"I know this is going to sound weird but... Please let me stay out here with you. I really don't want to go back in there either."

"Why though? Weren't you having a good time?"

"I was, until that blondie showed up. She's like a stalker; she always found out where I was no matter how hard I tried to hide." He laughs.

I laugh with him, "Wow. That's commitment."

I turn to admire the skyline again.

"Has Alex called you yet?" Seishi asks.

"Let me...Shit!" I groan while putting my head in my hands.

"What's wrong, are you ok?" he sounds worried.

"I'm so dumb that's what's wrong. Alex can't call me."

"Why not?" Seishi looks at me confused.

I hold up my phone, showing him the "time-limit" screen. I can feel myself starting to become embarrassed.

"Strict parents?"

"Yeah..."

"So, this is what Alex was talking about," Seishi mutters under his breath.

I shake my head in disbelief and turn to him. "What?" I breathe out. "Alex told you about my situation?"

"A little of it yes. When I was in Japan, we still talked over the phone a lot and they would mostly vent about how your parents. Alex doesn't like them very much."

"I don't either. Did Alex tell you about anything else? Did they tell anyone else?" I ask making sure my secret was still hidden.

"No, they mostly just talked about how you weren't out past a certain time, things like that. And they told me that I was the only other person who knew."

I sighed in relief.

"Alex is good at keeping secrets, I wouldn't worry about that if that's what you're concerned about."